Services imported from occupied territories ‘not huge’, Taoiseach says

The amount of services imported from the Occupied Palestinian Territories “is not huge”, the Taoiseach has said, as he faced accusations of “slow walking” legislation to prohibit their trade.

The Government has said it is working on an Occupied Territories Bill which would limit trade with illegal Israeli settlements, but activists and opposition figures have raised concerns that it would only include goods and not services.

During Leaders’ Questions on Wednesday, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns accused the Government of “slow walking” its legislation on the matter and criticised the possible exclusion of services from the law.

Ms Cairns welcomed “the release of hostages on both sides” but said: “Even in this fragile piece, Palestinians continue to be dehumanised.”

She said many of the Palestinians released by Israel were never charged or convicted of any crime but were still referred to as prisoners.

“We hope with all our hearts that this genocide is over, but we also have to face reality.

“Five Gazans were murdered by Israeli forces yesterday morning, just two days after committing to a ceasefire.

“The simple fact of the matter is that the crimes and barbarity of the Israeli government predate October 7, and in all likelihood, will not come to an end with this peace deal.

“For decades, Palestinians have suffered under an apartheid regime and brutal occupation in the West Bank, where Hamas does not have a presence.”

Ms Cairns said this why Ireland has “a duty under international law to end all trade with illegal Israeli settlements”.

She said a “huge component of trade between Ireland and the illegal settlements will continue” if the bill is enacted without the inclusion of services.

In response, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the quantity of services imported from Occupied Territories Bill was unknown but “not huge”.

“Goods can be traced fairly easily through documentation, certificates of origin – services are a much different kettle of fish.”

He added: “No decision has been made in relation to services.”

Mr Martin said there are issues around determining the “clear territorial link” on financial consulting, software development, and digital services.

He said the most significant issue facing Gaza was the unhindered delivery of aid.

“We earnestly hope that peace will sustain in Gaza, and it’s extremely important that every effort is made to get huge volumes of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”

He said the release of the hostages is “a big moment” that should be acknowledged.

“They should never been taken as hostages in the first instance.

“Many were attending a music festival, and there should be no equivocation about that.

“And likewise, illegally detaining Palestinians without any trial, without any evidence base, is also wrong and shouldn’t be condoned.”